Over Wet Sub

[Christee]

Not sure how to post, but I need help. I have 3 large hermies in a 40 gallon breeder tank. Temp around 87°, humidity around 85%. My problem is my substrate gets soaked just from the humidity collecting. How do I keep up the humidity and prevent the substrate from getting soaked. It's a mess!!! The poor guys couldn't molt in it, they would drowned. I've kept them alive for over a year and find them fascinating, but I'm getting frustrated and feel like giving up.

[Giner13]

Do you have a way to set up a small fan?
I'm not 100% sure, so maybe another more experienced crabber will chime in!


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[Giner13]

@KayedeeLove<3 @soilentgringa


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[KayedeeLove<3]

If they are all up (i assume they are as you said they couldn't molt down there) i would act fast! Grab some dry play sand and mix it in with the wet sand. Even if you have to take half your sand out. Prepare an iso for your three guys above ground first though. I think a fan would help alot as giner pointed out! Filling out the emergency questions pictured below help alot! If after sub is changed to sand castle consistency you are having the same issue (ventilation isnt working etc) heat lamp always steal humidity! Be warned that they do have the potential of drowning! Good luck and any questions feel free to ask!

Some ?'s:
-Do you have bubblers? Are they on high? Do they bubble over?
-Have you tried a mesh lid for ventilation? Or any type of ventilation?
-Have you had a spill? Anytime a massive amount of water may have gotten in the sub?




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[Christee]

Thanks KayedeeLove<3. I use a 2 liter humidifier placed on top of the screen lid. The humidity does get up to 99% at night when I turn off the 100W day bulb ( I also have a 100W night blub and a 150W ceramic heat emitter that are on constantly) I think I am running the humidity too high without enough ventilation. I covered most of the screen with plastic cling wrap, leaving just small spaces for ventilation. I was so worried about humidity so they could breathe. I will do what you said (this has been going on for a while, I added play sand before, it worked well, but here I am again) I'll try more ventilation and less humidity. Thanks again.

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[Rawrgeous]

I went ahead and moved this into it's own topic. If you are doubting your subs ability to hold caves you can use a chopstick or something similar along the glass in the sub and make sure it holds tunnels all the way down to the bottom. This is how I found out about my flood a few months back. If the sand holds its shape, you know it can hold caves. I agree with the suggestion of a bit more ventilation. Also, have you considered running the humidifier on a timer? Or maybe you don't need it at night at all? Sometimes it takes a bit of experimentation. I know certain humidifiers do put water droplets into the tank as they run, similiar to the effects of over misting. A fan, like Kaydee suggested might improve your situation as well by upping the air exchange.